We were so happy to be home for the holidays. We enjoyed family and friends but did NOT enjoy all the details we had to handle before heading out for Part 2 of our adventure. We realized that real life at home is complicated and overloaded with details, necessary tasks and endless errands. The travel life is the easy life. While dreading the goodbyes to all those we love, we couldn’t wait to get back in the saddle and on the road. Now, in New Zealand, we are free of mail, hassles, car issues, house issues, and necessary appointments. Ahhh, life is good.
We did gain some wisdom on Part 1 of our trip. We packed lighter and more efficient for Part 2. We plan to camp and cook to save money. New Zealand and Australia will be the most expensive countries that we visit. MINIMIZE and SIMPLIFY. I will be writing less on the blog, but posting more photos. I was stunned at how much time and energy it actually took to keep the blog up and running. On that note, I can keep New Zealand really simple………We ♥ it here!
New Zealand: Week 1 January 19-24
I am in love♥. I have been here one week and I know that this country will be my favorite place, in the end.
Reasons why I ♥ you New Zealand:
- You are GREEN and LUSH.
- I have never seen so many hiking trails (tracks, as the KiWis call them).
- So MANY free, clean and proper PUBLIC restrooms everywhere…no squatting allowed.
- TrashFREE country
Th: Land in Auckland, fly to Christchurch,drive to Lyttleton
F/Sa/S: Lyttleton M/T: The Golden Bay, Takaka
***Lyttleton is a small, quaint port town. Population of about 6000. Chill energy with a strong community feel. Good food, fun bars and surrounded by hills, rock, and a quiet port. A really awesome place for folks who love the outdoors and physical activity. Mountain biking, hiking (tramping as the KiWis call it), climbing, boating (sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, SUP) are the most popular ways to stay fit.
***Takaka: The Bohemian, hippie lifestyle is very prominent here. Imagine a scene right out of the 60’s on Haight Ashbury…. but,very, very low key, laid back, peace, love and flowers sort of place. Get your the tye dye balloon pants here….if you don’t have long dreads, you don’t fit in. We are taking a trip back in time, but don’t have time to grow our own dreads. We were fortunate to find a phenomenal, inexpensive, big Airbnb on the coast of the Tasman Sea. Secluded, empty beach and solitude can be found here.♥
***The Golden Bay is situated on the coast of the Tasman Sea and stretches up around the South Island to the famed West Coast (windy, sand dunes, hilltop views, stunning stretches of beach). This area is a MUST and offers up a lot of great short hikes to spectacular places and a well known pub (Mussel Inn).
Accommodations: Th/F: Air B&B Lyttleton (Cromwell Street) 2 nights Sa/S: Greg Jacks 2 nights (our Kiwi Friend) M/T: Takaka AirBnb on the beach
Activities: Th: arrive/dinner/sleep F: Banks Penisula Drive/Akaroa
Sa: Lyttleton farmers market/climb/hike
S: trip plan/rainy day
M: Depart Lyttleton for Golden Bay on the northern coastline of the South Island. 8 hour drive. T: Poharu area and climbing crag. Climbing was difficult for me and just okay for Will. We did not stay long. Explored TaTa beach and hiked to the Harwoods Hole (incredible sink hole and great short hike through the forest) Very scenic drive to get there. Ended the day with a quick hike around Paynes Ford and scoped out the climbing, hiking and beautiful swimming hole. This was a great day to unpack and wander……and a beautiful introduction to the New Zealand Coast. So much to see and do…so little time. Looking forward to Week 2.
